As the main suspect in the unsolved disappearance of Natalee Holloway arrives in Alabama to face charges of wire fraud and extortion, the judicial process remains complicated. Video above: Natalee Holloway disappearance timelineJohn Carroll, professor of law at the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, explained that while the case has gained international attention, van der Sloot will not be given special attention. Why is Joran van der Sloot being extradited to Birmingham, Alabama?In 2010, van der Sloot was indicted on wire fraud and extortion charges. He is accused of trying to extort $250,000 from Natalee Holloway’s mother in exchange for information on where her daughter was buried. Natalee Holloway was on a trip to Aruba with her Birmingham-area high school in 2005 when she disappeared. Holloway's body was never found, and no charges were filed against van der Sloot in the case. What happens when van der Sloot arrives in Alabama? "He will be placed in a kind of detention facility that federal authorities use — a county jail somewhere around here," Carroll said. "He's already been appointed a public defender. He will now will be treated just like any other criminal defendant in the United States."Where will he be held? Joran van der Sloot will likely be held in a very secure part of the detention facility, given his history, according to Carroll. How soon can we expect van der Sloot in court? Van der Sloot's first appearance will likely be an arraignment where he will be given an opportunity to enter a plea, according to Carroll. How soon could this case go to trial? "It completely depends on the court docket," Carroll said. "Just talking to people, we are talking about a year out. First, the discovery process has to go on, the government has to share info with the defendant. There will be a motion practice, arguably where the defendant would get to file a motion. Just based on the court schedule, I see nothing that indicates that this gets any priority. I think this will be treated just like any other federal criminal case in Birmingham."What happens while van der Sloot is being held and awaiting trial? Both the prosecution and the defense will have to prepare for trial.In terms of van der Sloot's defense, "I am confident that lawyer has never interviewed client. He has to get the client side of story," Carroll said.He went on to say, "Just like any other criminal case, his lawyer has to develop the defendant's side of the case." How long could this trial last? Carroll told sister station WVTM that this does not look like a long trial, possibly a week, noting the facts in the indictment are straightforward. After a verdict, what happens next? If found guilty, van der Sloot would need to be sentenced.The maximum sentence for wire fraud charges is 20 years. After sentencing, van der Sloot would then go back to Peru to serve out the remaining part of his sentence for the murder of a business student in Peru.
As the main suspect in the unsolved disappearance of Natalee Holloway arrives in Alabama to face charges of wire fraud and extortion, the judicial process remains complicated.
Video above: Natalee Holloway disappearance timeline
John Carroll, professor of law at the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, explained that while the case has gained international attention, van der Sloot will not be given special attention.
Why is Joran van der Sloot being extradited to Birmingham, Alabama?
In 2010, van der Sloot was indicted on wire fraud and extortion charges. He is accused of trying to extort $250,000 from Natalee Holloway’s mother in exchange for information on where her daughter was buried.
Natalee Holloway was on a trip to Aruba with her Birmingham-area high school in 2005 when she disappeared. Holloway's body was never found, and no charges were filed against van der Sloot in the case.
What happens when van der Sloot arrives in Alabama?
"He will be placed in a kind of detention facility that federal authorities use — a county jail somewhere around here," Carroll said. "He's already been appointed a public defender. He will now will be treated just like any other criminal defendant in the United States."
Where will he be held?
Joran van der Sloot will likely be held in a very secure part of the detention facility, given his history, according to Carroll.
How soon can we expect van der Sloot in court?
Van der Sloot's first appearance will likely be an arraignment where he will be given an opportunity to enter a plea, according to Carroll.
How soon could this case go to trial?
"It completely depends on the court docket," Carroll said. "Just talking to people, we are talking about a year out. First, the discovery process has to go on, the government has to share info with the defendant. There will be a motion practice, arguably where the defendant would get to file a motion. Just based on the court schedule, I see nothing that indicates that this gets any priority. I think this will be treated just like any other federal criminal case in Birmingham."
What happens while van der Sloot is being held and awaiting trial?
Both the prosecution and the defense will have to prepare for trial.
In terms of van der Sloot's defense, "I am confident that lawyer has never interviewed client. He has to get the client side of story," Carroll said.
He went on to say, "Just like any other criminal case, his lawyer has to develop the defendant's side of the case."
How long could this trial last?
Carroll told sister station WVTM that this does not look like a long trial, possibly a week, noting the facts in the indictment are straightforward.
After a verdict, what happens next?
If found guilty, van der Sloot would need to be sentenced.
The maximum sentence for wire fraud charges is 20 years. After sentencing, van der Sloot would then go back to Peru to serve out the remaining part of his sentence for the murder of a business student in Peru.
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